Kidtopia toy store to close southern Sioux Falls store next week

After owning and operating the Kidtopia toy store in southern Sioux Falls for 14 years, owner Sheryl Nelson is closing the store near 57th Street and Western Avenue.

Nelson will consolidate business to her second store at Dawley Farms in eastern Sioux Falls, which she opened in 2014.

"There's just so much more opportunity on this part of town and it's just growing fast over here," Nelson said. "It's quite a bigger store over here as well."

The move comes after Nelson has struggled to find more help during a national labor shortage and while the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect her workers. She closed her southern Sioux Falls location for a few days earlier this month because too many employees were affected by COVID-19.

Returning to one store will be more manageable and also cut risks in the current market. Some of her workers will move to the new location, she added.

The southern Sioux Falls Kidtopia will officially close Jan. 26. Product is 10% off storewide until then. Nelson will also be selling displays and fixtures.

"We're still here," Nelson said. "We still love our customers and we're still a local neighborhood toy store. We're here for them."

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Kidtopia toy store to close southern Sioux Falls store next week